Updated | Danish students quarantined in Malta after their group leader tests positive for COVID-19

Updated at 6:46pm with EF statement

A group of 24 Danish students aged between 14 and 17 who attend the EF Language school are being quarantined in Malta after their group leader tested positive for COVID-19, a school representative has confirmed.

The news first appeared on Danish news portal TV 2, that reported how a group of between 40 and 50 Danish students had to be quarantined in Malta after their group leader tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday.

Parents of the students told the Danish news portal that the students could not be returned home until their quarantine period ends.

Roger Bugeja, executive director at EF, told MaltaToday that the school has isolated the group of students and are waiting for instructions from the health authorities. He confirmed that the students were tested on Thursday afternoon as a precautionary matter.

Bugeja confirmed that the group leader tested postive and a second test was carried out today since he displayed no symptoms.

He added that no further students or staff members were affected at this point. "We are following the health authorities' instructions," Bugeja said.​

The Danish students had one more week left in Malta and will only be allowed to leave when the health authorities give the go-ahead.

The students are in the residence safe and comfortable with all they need such as food and drink and well taken care of as well as supervised and supported by local staff," Bugeja said, adding they were kept isolated from other students in one of their residences.